§ The Earl of Swintonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What measures are currently being taken under European Community Council regulations to check the levels of radiation contamination of food imported into the United Kingdom; and with what results.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Baroness Trumpington)European Council Regulation EEC No. 1707/86 of 30th May 1986 set out maximum permitted levels of radiocaesium for imports of food into the Community on an emergency basis following the Chernobyl nuclear accident. The arrangements have been extended to 31st October 1987 by Council Regulation EEC No. 624/87 pending further scientific evaluation.
The regulation requires certification or testing of food imports from third countries. In the 10 months to March a large number of samples have been tested. All but 18 were below the levels set out in the regulation. The 18 consignments concerned have been refused entry into the United Kingdom.
I am placing a copy of the results of the monitoring in the Library.